a Z i nG*
* SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Dana Steingold will try to follow in Michael Fishman's Hollywood footsteps.
D
ana Steingold watches
12-year-old Michael
Fishman acting in
the "Roseanne" tele-
vision series and
wonders how she
would feel as a young ac-
tress in a popular situation com-
edy.
Dana, 9, already knows
what it's like appearing with
local theater companies, be-
ing in broadcast commercials
and winning the talent corn-
petition in a national chil-
dren's pageant.
Dana's parents, Susan and
Marc Steingold, understand
their daughter's curiosity.
Since she was 2, they have
marveled at her initiative in
singing, dancing, acting and
wanting to audition for as
many productions as possible.
Last summer, the Stein-
golds traveled to California
so Dana could enter the Lit-
tle Miss of America Pageant,
which is set up to showcase
participants' talents for
agents, casting directors and
personal managers in the au-
dience.
With many Hollywood pros
vying to represent Dana, the
Steingolds decided to return
to the state that seems to of-
fer so many professional op-
portunities.
In January and February,
when producers select cast
members for sitcom pilots,
the Steingolds
will be on the
West Coast, let-
ting Dana — just
signed by
Gold/Marshak &
Associates — try
out alongside all
the other aspiring
stars from around
the country.
"Dana's done
pretty much
everything she can do here,"
explained Mrs. Steingold,
who is planning activities for
her other two daughters
(Jamie, 6, and Melissa, 5) as
they stay in California, too.
"We feel that Dana's got
enough talent to give it a
shot."
Using a home offered by a
relative, Dr. and Mrs. Stein-
gold are trying to keep their
extended family as close as
possible, counting on grand-
parents, aunts and uncles to
visit and help the three girls
feel comfortable in their new
setting.
Instead of enrolling the
children in
school, however,
the couple have
engaged a tutor
to keep the
youngsters cur-
rent with the
Michigan cur-
riculum.
"We
want
Dana to have a
chance because
she loves per-
forming," said Dr. Steingold,
who will maintain his dental
practice in Garden City and
Eastpoint, arranging a sched-
ule that will allow time to join
his family for long stays.
"Being on stage is fun,"
said Dana, a fourth-grader
who has performed in dinner-
The Stei ngold
women move
to th e
West Co ast in
Janua ry.
theater programs aboard the
Michigan Star Clipper and in
a string of musicals for Nan-
cy Gurwin Productions. "I'm
used to it, and I'm supported
by a lot of friends."
Dana, who would rather
listen to music from Phantom
of the Opera than Barney,
built her theater credits with
no singing lessons, few acting
lessons and many dancing
lessons, and she is very ex-
cited about pursuing her
dream.
Not wanting to think about
a career outside of show busi-
ness, Dana is looking for
more than employment.
I've met a lot of new people
through acting and I like
that," said Dana, who will
perform in Beauty and the
Beast Dec. 18-19 at the
Southfield Civic Center.
"I did The King and I in
1991, and I've kept in contact
with three people. They tell
me about auditions, and I tell
them. Then we get in shows
together.
"I want to make it big but